8 Dementia-inclusive business program
A shop in Bruges displays the red knotted handkerchief sticker in a window, indicating that the business has been trained to assist people living with dementia. Photo: Dementievriendelijk Brugge / Foton
See it in action
Bruges, Belgium – Red knotted handkerchief program
Local businesses can play a crucial role in supporting people living with dementia to maintain autonomy and dignity—and offering help when needed.
Challenge: People living with dementia can experience confusion navigating around the neighbourhood and may face challenges when accessing local shops and services. These challenges can be due to a lack of wayfinding, accessibility features, or stigma from other community members.
Solution overview: Dementia-inclusive business programs offer training and resources to staff to learn how to better support people living with dementia, increase awareness, and reduce stigma.
Bruges has over 90 shops that are classified as dementia friendly. They display a logo of a red knotted handkerchief, which represents a traditional memory aid. The symbol signifies that staff can offer compassionate assistance to people living with dementia.
Foton, a charity that supports people living with dementia, engaged volunteers to distribute guides and conduct training with local businesses. In addition, the organization collaborated with the police force to build a database of residents who are prone to wandering. The initiatives aims to promote social inclusion and a positive image and understanding of people living with dementia.
Solution overview: Dementia-inclusive business programs offer training and resources to staff to learn how to better support people living with dementia, increase awareness, and reduce stigma.
Bruges has over 90 shops that are classified as dementia friendly. They display a logo of a red knotted handkerchief, which represents a traditional memory aid. The symbol signifies that staff can offer compassionate assistance to people living with dementia.
Foton, a charity that supports people living with dementia, engaged volunteers to distribute guides and conduct training with local businesses. In addition, the organization collaborated with the police force to build a database of residents who are prone to wandering. The initiatives aims to promote social inclusion and a positive image and understanding of people living with dementia.
Relevance to the guidelines
Strategy 1.1 Land use designation
Strategy 3.3 Placemaking